And all his fealty was fixed upon the five wounds

The poem continues to explain the forth point of the pentangle as representing the Virgin Mary’s five joys: annunciation, nativity, resurrection, ascension, and assumption. (Lines 676-7) The fifth and final point of the pentangle represents the traits a knight must posses. (Lines 651-5) While the significance of the number five is more obvious, both of the relevant numbers in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight add value to the poem through symbolism.

Nor found ever to fail in his five fingers,

ars Gawain. Gawain is shown mercy and become humbled by the life lessons he has learned as he returns to Camelot. Like any other Arthurian legend, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight contains a code, a quest, battles, magic, and tests. Beyond the action and adventure of this story are several layers of meaning. By examining the significance of colors and numbers in this poem, one can begin to understand the layers of symbolism in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

And first, he was faultless in his five senses,

That Christ got on the cross, as the creed tells [.] (Lines 640-3)

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